1 Cor 14 deals with the use of spiritual gifts, specifically tongues and prophesy, in the church. Paul again says that acting with love is a vital part of employing spiritual gifts. Throughout this chapter, Paul repeatedly makes reference to the purposes of these gifts: so that the church may be edified(v.5), to build up the church ( v. 12), to instruct others (v.19), to demonstrate God's presence among you and to convince unbelievers of their sin so they will fall down and worship God (v. 24-25), for the strengthening of the church (v.26), and that everyone may be instructed and encouraged (v.31).

There seems to be a current problem that Paul is addressing regarding disorderly conduct in the use of spiritual gifts in the Corinth church. Paul gives extensive guidelines as to the use of spiritual gifts in the church ( v.26-40). Paul says in summary, "When you meet, one will sing, another will teach, another will tell some special revelation God has given, one will speak in an unknown language, while another will interpret what is said. But everything that is done must be useful to all and build them up in the Lord." (v.26). Paul calls for orderly conduct in the church to facilitate the effectiveness of the Spirit's manifestations, saying "God is not a God of disorder, but of peace"(v33) and "everything should be done in a proper and orderly way"(v40).

In 1 cor 13, Paul says that spiritual gifts are useless without love. He then provides an extensive description of love, which can be summarized as "unselfish". Since the purpose of the manifestations of the Spirit ( spiritual gifts) is the edification and building up of the body of Christ, it seems to make sense that love is the mechanism of action by which the gifts are employed. Paul concludes by explaining that only faith, hope, and love are eternal, and the manifestations of the Spirit will no longer be necessary when we are someday in the eternal presence of God.

In 1 Cor 12, Paul says he wants the brethren "to be quite certain" about the manifestations of the Spirit within them. Paul explains that it is important to clearly understand that nobody is able to claim that Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit; and likewise, nobody can speak in the Spirit of God against Jesus. The Spirit does not manifest in unbelievers. Next, Paul explains that all varieties of spiritual manifestations in believers are of the "same Spirit" and all serve the purpose of God's work for the common good of the body of Christ. God alone determines how He will manifest His Spirit in each believer. Paul then explains how God unites believers together as one body in Christ to function in harmony. God has arranged the believers as parts of this one body just as He wanted. His design necessitates that the parts interact with cooperation, dependence, honor and respect of each other, and equal concern for each other.

1 Cor 11 discusses the proper attitude of submission in worship and secondly the proper attitude for participation in communion. Paul seems to be giving specific guiding instructions for the current circumstances in the Corinthian church, which likely does not have the same application today. However, the submissive attitude described by Paul probably is applicable to our relationships with one another in the church (and in marriage) today. Paul's idea of submission in this discussion seems to emphasize humility, commitment, cooperation, and unity more than supremacy or inferiority. As for communion, Paul says we should not have an indifferent attitude when eating the bread and drinking from the cup of the Lord. He says, "you should examine yourself" , since we are remembering that Christ died for our sins. Without acknowledging the meaning of communion, one participating is "guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord". There should be an attitude of reverence before God and respectful consideration of the unity of the body of Christ.

In 1 Cor 10, Paul warns again not to worship idols as some of the Israelites did. He then discusses the freedom we have in Christ --- "Everything is permissible". However, Paul says be careful not to cause anyone to stumble and consider the benefit for others , rather than just seeking your own good. He concludes this discussion by saying, "whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God".

In 1 Cor 9, Paul discusses "rights of apostleship". First, he teaches that the body of Christ is obligated to support, care for, and fairly compensate our spiritual leaders. Paul gave up many of his "rights" ( to be compensated, to hospitality, to be married), in order to focus on living for Christ and winning others to Christ. Paul explains that he lives this way, not so that he can boast, but because he feels compelled by God. He says that his only compensation is the satisfaction he receives from preaching the Good News without expense or obligation to people. Clearly, Paul's life goals were to live for Christ and to bring people to Christ. In conclusion of this chapter, Paul discusses these goals with an illustration of a race. Paul explains that living your life for Christ ("run in such a way") requires discipline and self-control. Preaching and leading others to Christ takes a lot of time, training ,work, and energy. Paul talks of fear that if he doesn't live in such a way, that he could lose his privilege of telling others about Christ ( "that I myself might be disqualified"). In other words, he was concerned about practicing what he preached. Consider your life goals. Do they lead toward an eternal, imperishable reward?

1 Cor 8 addresses food offered to idols , specifically whether Christians may eat such food. Paul offers many considerations, but the decisive factor is whether others present believe it to be immoral or sinful. Though we don't even acknowledge the existence of idols or gods other than our God, we must consider what affect our decision to eat such food will have on our weaker brethren. Paul says to "take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak". Paul says that in becoming a hindrance to the weaker brethren, "wounding their conscience", you not only sin against them but also sin against Christ. There are probably many modern examples of situations that we need behave prudently also, being careful not to exercise our liberty in Christ in the presence of "weaker brethren". We must let love and edification of the body be the guiding rule in such decisions.